WHITE SHARK. 71 
great size, strength, and ferocity ; it exceeds 16 feet in length in 
other seas, some having been captured 36 feet long, according to the 
late Sir W. Macleay. The elongate body, generally terminating in 
a more or less pointed snout, and passing into a powerful and 
flexible tail at the other extremity, produces a most extraordinary 
power of swimming. When fishermen are drawing their nets full 
of fish this shark will swim along, giving every now and then a half- 
turn, biting out a large mouthful of fishes and net, and swallowing 
them together. It was from representations by fishermen and their 
friends, as to the damage done to their nets and the destruction of 
fish, as well as danger to bathers, when this species and the great 
bull shark or shovel-nosed shark appeared, as it is called in Victoria, 
but grey nurse in New South Wales, that the Government of 
Victoria was induced to place large sums on the estimates for the 
destruction of these monsters. In the expenditure of this money, 
there was either mistake or abuse, as hundreds of the harmless 
blunt-toothed smooth hound, picked dog-fish, and other small sharks 
were paid for, as being the young of the blue shark. 
Where found.—Not only in Australian waters, but in all 
seas except the Polar. It is almost a cosmopolitan. This and other 
species of sharks, are far more numerous in the inlets of Port 
Jackson at the present time than in the early days of the colony. 
Fishermen note that sharks are most abundant near Sydney, towards 
the end of March and during April. 
Food.—Fish or flesh, whether of man or dog, &c. The shark is 
omnivorous with respect to diet ; like the ostrich, it seems to digest 
almost anything, from tin-pots, canvas and clothing, to fat pork 
and delicate fish. When satiated with food, it swims very deep, 
and will not take a proffered bait. 
How captured.—The two specimens in the Melbourne museum 
were caught in Hobson’s Bay, near Brighton. The larger had been 
observed for several days swimming round the ladies’ baths. Their 
lengths are 16 feet 2in. and 13 feet 9 in. respectively. A strong 
hook and chain were obtained, which had been made so as to keep 
the rope out of the reach of its teeth, the bait used being a large 
piece of pork, which the shark swallowed greedily. When the 
monster was got on shore, and opened, it was found to contain a 
large Newfoundland dog, with his collar on, which identified him as 
one lost the day before. Sometimes when a large shark evinces 
nuusual shyness, it is captured by harpooning ; when struck, ropes 
are passed under the animal, anditis hauled aboard, or dragged 
ashore, if its captors are ina boat. In Oct., 1890, three sharks, 
measuring respectively 14 feet, 11 feet, and 11 feet in length, were 
captured in the harbour off Manly. During the preceding fortnight 
they had frequently been seen near the jetty ; at times they had 
come close up to the steps of the landing stages, and they had been 
a cause of alarm to bathers. The largest of the trio, a tiger shark, 
was found to have swallowed half of a retriever dog; it had a 
wound upon its back, which had been inflicted by a boat-hook, some 
days previously. In the ensuing Nov., during one afternoon, several 
